Clark Tracey

Clark is an excellent, highly experienced, award-winning drummer, bandleader, composer and arranger. Originally featured with the band of his late, great, father Stan, Clark has gone on to establish himself in his own right as one of the country’s leading modern jazz drummers. He has recorded over 90 albums (9 as a leader) and performed in over 50 countries. He has been awarded the "Best Drums" title five times in the British Jazz Awards (most recently in 2016 and 2017) as well as Ronnie Scott's Award for “Best Drums” in 2007. As a bandleader he can boast some of the finest musicians in the UK have passed through his ranks, including the likes of Nigel Hitchcock, Dave O'Higgins, Mark Nightingale, Mornington Lockett and Zoe Rahman. As well as composing and arranging for his own group he has composed for the Berkshire Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Appleby Festival Big Band and written string quartet arrangements for vocalists Claire Martin and Joan Viskant. Joining Clark on the stand this evening will be the brilliant young Award-winning horn section of newcomers Sean Payne on sax and the current BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Alex Ridout on trumpet, along with the equally talented young rhythm section of Elliott Sansom on piano and James Owston on bass. The driving force behind the night’s entertainment however will of course be Clark himself, bringing a rhythmic diversity, taste and sensitivity that has made him one of the UK’s most respected musicians.

“...one of the most impressive jazz drummers in Britain today” The Times